SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–After a super start to the season with my 10-2 record on Week Three picks, I’m looking to build off of the momentum with another solid week. There are some big games in Week Four including two key early season matchups in the GMC Red. Let’s get to it.
Here is a brief breakdown of the Saturday afternoon matchups:
Metuchen (2-1) at Highland Park (2-1)–If you like offense, then this is the game for you. So far this season, Highland Park has outscored its opponents 92-53, or by an average of about two touchdowns per game. Against GMC Gold opponents, the Owls have gone 2-0 by a combined margin of 80-33 including a 44-21 thumping of division contender Middlesex on the road last week. After starting the season with a 42-14 loss against Keyport/Henry Hudson, the Bulldogs turned things around with back to back victories at home over Middlesex (20-13) and Shore Regional (35-21) in a rematch of last year’s state tournament game. Steve Deinzer continues to drive the offense with Anthony Terenzi, Steve Serieux, and Chris Warren as his targets while Elijah Sellers comes out of the backfield. Nate Smith and Louis Middleton ignite the potent offense for Highland Park. These two schools are long time rivals, and although Highland Park has dominated this rivalry, 55-17-1, they have had hotly contested meetings recently with the Owls winning 34-30 last season. Expect a lot of points. Prediction: Highland Park wins 42-28.
Perth Amboy (1-1) at North Brunswick (1-1)–Both teams are at .500 overall entering this game, but North Brunswick won its GMC White opener over Edison (34-0) before giving Piscataway some trouble last week in a 28-15 loss. The Panthers are playing their first division game of the season after walloping Marlboro in their opener (38-0), and only losing to Colts Neck 7-0 in a contest that they thoroughly dominated. The Raiders lost a lot to graduation last year, but still have some good talent with quarterback Armand Gorrell and tailback Ross Kurtz, who will be looking to rebound after his tough game last week against the Chiefs. The Raiders have home field, and have played slightly tougher competition so that should give them the edge here. However, Perth Amboy looks to be much improved this season. Prediction: North Brunswick wins 24-17.
J.F. Kennedy (1-2) at Colonia (0-2)–After the Mustangs opened the season at home with a landslide victory over South Plainfield (39-14), they have been outscored 74-27 by Spotswood (34-7) and Bishop Ahr (40-20). Colonia is coming off a heartbreaking loss to GMC White foe, Edison, in which the Eagles still managed to come from behind for a 27-21 victory despite committing four turnovers. This is a neighborhood rivalry game so anything will go this week. JFK will be looking to Mark Weber, Marcus Gaudin, and Matt Creighton while Colonia will be trying to rebound with Greg Jones, Corey Jones, and basketball standout C.J. Gray. So far this season, the Pats have been outscored by a two to one margin (54-27), but they have home field in this one. It will be close. Prediction: Colonia wins 21-17.
South Plainfield (0-2) at Monmouth Regional (0-3)–Speaking of the Tigers, they have been outscored by a margin of 74-14 in their first two games. The Tigers lost their opener on the road to a J.F. Kennedy team that lost to Bishop Ahr last week. BGA defeated Monmouth Regional the week before (37-14). The Falcons have been outscored by a margin of 99-27 in their first three games, but have played the likes of Matawan (42-6), BGA, and Long Branch (20-7). In addition, the losses to Matawan and Long Branch were on the road while the teams that they’ve played have a combined record of 8-1. Combined record of teams played by SPHS is 3-2. So far this season, the Shore Conference teams have a 14-10 edge over the GMC in games played against each other this season. Add that to the fact that Monmouth is playing at home. Prediction: Monmouth Regional wins 24-7.
Middlesex (0-2) at South River (2-1)–According to newspaper reports, the Blue Jays are banged up physical following their two losses to Metuchen (20-13) and Highland Park (44-21). South River is a bit hurt to as running back and basketball standout, Steve Moore has been dealing with an injury. However, even though Moore has not been at 100 percent, he still found a way to help his team win last week at Cardinal McCarrick. Middlesex has been outscored by a margin of 64-34 in their first two games, or by an average of 15 points per game while South River, which has played the likes of Shore Regional (loss 28-0), Dunellen (won 34-14), and McCarrick (won 28-16), have outscored their opponents by a slim margin of 62-58. Shore Regional also lost to Metuchen 35-21 last week, and Middlesex has played an overall tougher schedule to this point. Injuries or not, I can’t see the Jays (favored to finish second in the GMC Gold) start the year at 0-3. It will be a close one though. Prediction: Middlesex wins 17-16.
Cardinal McCarrick (1-2) at Spotswood (3-0)–The Eagles are a depleted team thanks to injuries including one to the “Baby Bull” running back John Appiah, the younger brother of former basketball standout, Dominic Appiah. However, Cardy Mac has been quite competitive in their first three games. They lost by one to Keansburg (13-12), blew out Mater Dei (40-21), and lost to South River (28-16). The Eagles were worn down by the Rams in the second half after having a lead for a good chunk of the ball game. On the other hand, Spotswood is undefeated, and has played a slightly stronger schedule to this point. The Chargers are second in the GMC Blue in point differential behind Highland Park while they have averaged 21 points per game on offense. After beating Red Bank in their opener (14-13), Spotswood soundly defeated a J.F. Kennedy team (34-7) that can put points on the board. Chargers have another edge of playing at home. Prediction: Spotswood wins 28-10.
Red Bank (0-3) at Dunellen (0-3)–Something has got to give in this game. Both teams are winless, but appear to be going in opposite directions. After losing by one to Spotswood in its opener, the Bucs have been outscored by a combined margin of 88-3 including a 50-3 thrashing to Matawan and a 38-0 loss to crosstown rival Red Bank Catholic. Meanwhile, the Destroyers are coming off a 16-6 loss to Spotswood after being outscored 70-26 in their first two games to Highland Park and South River. Dunellen has the athletic Rontik Sadler, who also plays basketball during the winter. This will be a close one that DHS could win, especially since it is playing at home. However, keep in mind that the Destroyers are 0-2 at home this year, and have been outscored 52-18 in those two games. Add to that the Shore’s overall edge in head to head matchups versus the GMC. Prediction: Red Bank wins 14-12.
Last week’s record (10-2)